bilbored
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Same-sex marriage bill passes
House of Commons votes to adopt legislation
“I have not compromised my faith in supporting this legislation. I have embraced it. The fact that we (in Canada) are among the first is not something we should hide. It's something we should celebrate. . . .
“(We are) a nation of equality. A nation of strength. A nation of compassion. A nation that believes we're stronger together than we are apart. And a nation where we celebrate equality. . . .
“We will send a statement to the world that in Canada gays and lesbians will not be considered second-class citizens.”~ Michael Savage MP
House of Commons votes to adopt legislation
“I have not compromised my faith in supporting this legislation. I have embraced it. The fact that we (in Canada) are among the first is not something we should hide. It's something we should celebrate. . . .
“(We are) a nation of equality. A nation of strength. A nation of compassion. A nation that believes we're stronger together than we are apart. And a nation where we celebrate equality. . . .
“We will send a statement to the world that in Canada gays and lesbians will not be considered second-class citizens.”~ Michael Savage MP
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Toronto Pride site
I started a couple of posts this week. The first about books I am reading but I junked it, too pretentious. Besides who the fuck cares what improving reading I have chosen for myself and further how totally whacked it is too be reading eleven different books at the same time. How do I keep it all straight ( Yeah I know obvious joke here) well probably the only thing I discovered from my very diverse reading list; From erotica to a social history of London, post world war II is there is a commonality of themes. Interesting but hardly post worthy. I also started to write about the Courts in New Brunswick striking down the marriage act and thus making it the ninth jurisdiction in Canada to legalize same sex marriage but that sort of thing hardly even makes the news anymore, here in Canada and besides the big story should be next week when finally the feds pass the legislation legalizing same sex marriage uniformly across the land. Which will, no doubt happen in a hurry, since everyone in parliament wants to fuck off and get to the cottage and start working on their election strategy for the fall session. I look forward to the mock outrage from the politicos, mainly from that province where their heads are stuck firmly in the tar sands. Although all parties will be relieved not to have those pesky queers gumming up the works of the next election with their contentious rights “issues”- gawd I hate that word.
My Mom and Dad are packed up and off to the cottage which means it is vacation time for me from looking after them. I can once more run around the house naked and not have to worry about unexpected “visitors” popping up in the kitchen when I step out of the bathroom in the all together.
We are again in a heat wave this weekend. Hot! Sweaty! and Horny!, just the way I like it. Visitors welcome….Bill
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Monday, June 13, 2005
ECHEVERIA
E. elegans ?
This lovely echeveria has been part of my garden for about 10 years now. It has always been potted up in one of the set of three Vietnamese pots you now see it in. This year it is in the mid size pot about 12” across and 6” high. Here in Niagara we are just on the outside edge of it’s hardiness zone, it therefore comes out of the pot and into an uncovered cold frame, tucked up with a light leaf covering for the winter. Which size pot it goes into depends entirely on how well it has wintered over. I tried a cutting one year in the cool green house, with the near dormant tropicals but it just sulked and never seemed to recover as well as the ones in the cold frame. I have unfortunately lost a positive ID for it . I think it is E. elegans, but please send me an e-mail if you recognise this handsome succulent. Another curiosity is just as it begins to bloom, as it is now the racoons seem to like to make a snack of it and I have to protect it at night.
With the early heat wave we are currently experiencing it has been mixed blessings in the garden. While the early poppies and the Iris’ (bearded), have had an excellent show pre heat wave. The later poppies and I. sibirica have unfortunately come and gone with lightning speed as has my all time favourite shrub, Spiraea S. arguta (Bridal Wreath, Foam of May) which is particularly unfortunate since the only benefit of last years cool wet summer has been to provide a particularly rich bloom on all of the ornamental shrubs and trees. On the up side my tomatoes are literally jumping with joy. My cherry tomatoes (Sweet 100) have already surpassed last years in both height and vigour and will be fruiting before the end of the month. I can only hope this hot weather will have similar effect on me as I too thrive in the heat as well.
I have as yet not fully switched the green house over to summer mode and have not moved the thriving tropicals, all in bloom now out into the garden. It is beginning to be to hot for them under glass and I need the space to move my cactus collection out of the house and into the green house for their annual summer bake-a-thon. This is usually an end of June job but the heat has brought that time forward. Finally my Tagetes (marigold) bed is fully planted out. I must confess I am not overly enamoured with them and never have been. I plant them for sentimental reasons, firstly of fond memories of travel in India and Mexico, both countries where the marigold serves a very important function in time of celebration and remembrance. Secondly as a memorial to Mike, over some of his buried ashes in the front garden. The marigold was a favourite of his. Fortunately orange is in and contrasts beautifully with the Frida Kahlo, Casa Azul colour that my house is now painted. I look forward to a vibrant show from the various varieties Aztec, Inca gold, etc bordered with Sanvitalia (creeping zinnia) which is a favourite of mine and brings to mind baking hot Mayan ruin sites of Yucatan where they grow like weeds. Summer advances from Spring promises….Bill
E. elegans ?
This lovely echeveria has been part of my garden for about 10 years now. It has always been potted up in one of the set of three Vietnamese pots you now see it in. This year it is in the mid size pot about 12” across and 6” high. Here in Niagara we are just on the outside edge of it’s hardiness zone, it therefore comes out of the pot and into an uncovered cold frame, tucked up with a light leaf covering for the winter. Which size pot it goes into depends entirely on how well it has wintered over. I tried a cutting one year in the cool green house, with the near dormant tropicals but it just sulked and never seemed to recover as well as the ones in the cold frame. I have unfortunately lost a positive ID for it . I think it is E. elegans, but please send me an e-mail if you recognise this handsome succulent. Another curiosity is just as it begins to bloom, as it is now the racoons seem to like to make a snack of it and I have to protect it at night.
With the early heat wave we are currently experiencing it has been mixed blessings in the garden. While the early poppies and the Iris’ (bearded), have had an excellent show pre heat wave. The later poppies and I. sibirica have unfortunately come and gone with lightning speed as has my all time favourite shrub, Spiraea S. arguta (Bridal Wreath, Foam of May) which is particularly unfortunate since the only benefit of last years cool wet summer has been to provide a particularly rich bloom on all of the ornamental shrubs and trees. On the up side my tomatoes are literally jumping with joy. My cherry tomatoes (Sweet 100) have already surpassed last years in both height and vigour and will be fruiting before the end of the month. I can only hope this hot weather will have similar effect on me as I too thrive in the heat as well.
I have as yet not fully switched the green house over to summer mode and have not moved the thriving tropicals, all in bloom now out into the garden. It is beginning to be to hot for them under glass and I need the space to move my cactus collection out of the house and into the green house for their annual summer bake-a-thon. This is usually an end of June job but the heat has brought that time forward. Finally my Tagetes (marigold) bed is fully planted out. I must confess I am not overly enamoured with them and never have been. I plant them for sentimental reasons, firstly of fond memories of travel in India and Mexico, both countries where the marigold serves a very important function in time of celebration and remembrance. Secondly as a memorial to Mike, over some of his buried ashes in the front garden. The marigold was a favourite of his. Fortunately orange is in and contrasts beautifully with the Frida Kahlo, Casa Azul colour that my house is now painted. I look forward to a vibrant show from the various varieties Aztec, Inca gold, etc bordered with Sanvitalia (creeping zinnia) which is a favourite of mine and brings to mind baking hot Mayan ruin sites of Yucatan where they grow like weeds. Summer advances from Spring promises….Bill
Saturday, June 11, 2005
When I first saw this photo I hated it. I did not think it was very flattering. I tucked it away in my files and occasionally would have another look. I was drawn back to it again and again, not in a narcissistic way but for the character it displayed. It seems to show a life lived not easy, but not all that bad either,while still maintaining an optimistic outlook. Not very pretty but life’s like that….Bill
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
While I have been away from this blog lots has gone on. For those who read regularly, you will know that I pissed and moaned my way through last Summers cold and rain and complained often about not getting the painting done. Well I am happy to report on this hot 29C evening that not only is my house painted but I have brand a new patio, side walks and a new porch at my side entrance and brand new light fixtures outside each door. The drive has been re-graveled and the gardens are looking nice and healthy. Project 'curb appeal' is now complete and I am ready, soon, to start the repaint and minor redecorating in my front room then on to some repairs in the bath and the house will be ready to sell.
On the work front it has been a strange year. The theatre is not having a very good season yet again. There is a scent of regime change in the air. The reviews have been luke warm. We are short both staff and time, with all new 'economy measures.' And guess what the penny pinching is now showing up on stage as money matters take second place to artistic integrity. The mean spirited management has even taken away the water coolers and opening night was celebrated by ignoring the cast and crew; no thank you let alone a measly sandwich tray or glass of wine. Sigh... I have seen it all before, Time for a new broom. As a little addendum the production manager who spent a great deal of time convincing me to return to my job is now leaving to go to the west coast. She now thinks a move there would be just the thing for me. Funny huh!
I would like to be able to brag about some thing in my personal life but alas the only sojourns into the bushes these days (John) are to do the pruning, deadheading the spent spring flowers and the only time I have bent over is to pull weeds from the lawn. OK there was a cute 22 year old boy here Friday night, who had just a little to much to drink and it would have been a dream come true had I not known him all his life and his parents were not friends of mind. He will have to hold his coming out party with someone else. I sent him home at 02:00h with both our virginities intact. Did I tell you I am thinking of changing my name to Job.
Below are a few Photos of the work I have been doing on my house. They are meant to emphasis the new walkways and the very patriotic paint colours which seem in keeping with the times. My house has always been blue and theses current colours are in fact taken from Mexican Painter Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul in Mexico City and contrary to rumour I will not be planting a Union Jack in the middle of a bed of red ,white, and blue petunias in the front garden….Bill
On the work front it has been a strange year. The theatre is not having a very good season yet again. There is a scent of regime change in the air. The reviews have been luke warm. We are short both staff and time, with all new 'economy measures.' And guess what the penny pinching is now showing up on stage as money matters take second place to artistic integrity. The mean spirited management has even taken away the water coolers and opening night was celebrated by ignoring the cast and crew; no thank you let alone a measly sandwich tray or glass of wine. Sigh... I have seen it all before, Time for a new broom. As a little addendum the production manager who spent a great deal of time convincing me to return to my job is now leaving to go to the west coast. She now thinks a move there would be just the thing for me. Funny huh!
I would like to be able to brag about some thing in my personal life but alas the only sojourns into the bushes these days (John) are to do the pruning, deadheading the spent spring flowers and the only time I have bent over is to pull weeds from the lawn. OK there was a cute 22 year old boy here Friday night, who had just a little to much to drink and it would have been a dream come true had I not known him all his life and his parents were not friends of mind. He will have to hold his coming out party with someone else. I sent him home at 02:00h with both our virginities intact. Did I tell you I am thinking of changing my name to Job.
Below are a few Photos of the work I have been doing on my house. They are meant to emphasis the new walkways and the very patriotic paint colours which seem in keeping with the times. My house has always been blue and theses current colours are in fact taken from Mexican Painter Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul in Mexico City and contrary to rumour I will not be planting a Union Jack in the middle of a bed of red ,white, and blue petunias in the front garden….Bill
